Ultimate Guide to Planning a Kitchen Remodel

It’s no secret that kitchen remodeling is a big undertaking. The options are endless and a remodel can easily cost $40,000 or more. With today’s popular open floor plans, kitchens are an important part of the home and one of the most heavily used spaces.

In our home, the kitchen is more than a kitchen. It serves as the primary gathering place for our busy family; a place where we come together over breakfast or dinner and share how our days went, a place where the kids do their homework, watch mom make pancakes, sneak treats to dogs and grab that last cookie.

If you are in the market to freshen up your kitchen, or totally redesign it, below are some tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years.

Plan for your kitchen to be out of commission for a while.

This seems pretty standard but you would be surprised how often it comes up. If you are doing a full kitchen renovation, the kitchen will be completely stripped and everything pulled out down to studs/drywall. You will need to empty cabinets and store kitchen essentials in another place. It’s important to think about how you’ll manage. Think about where you’ll keep your fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee pot..…

Cabinetry

Understand that unless you are purchasing stock cabinets from a big box home supply store, kitchen cabinets are considered custom pieces and are measured and made for your particular kitchen space. As a result, options are endless…. and so is the price tag. Raised panel, flush mount, slow close hinges, wood choices and finishes; these are all things that must be selected, depending on the manufacture. Pro tip: keep in mind that many of the beautiful kitchens showcased on Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, in magazines and on websites are highlighted for a reason. They are absolutely beautiful, and do not come cheap. Set realistic expectations for your budget.

Kitchens are one of the most used spaces in your home and it’s important to balance cost with performance. My father always said, you get what you pay for (or less) and this is true with cabinetry. There’s a big price difference between particle board and solid hardwood. Make sure you understand what you’re actually getting and how it will hold up.

Appliances

Appliances, if you’re opting for new ones, are a big decision. Many manufacturers offer gourmet suite incentives, meaning that if you purchase all or most of your appliances from that them, you can get a significant discount off the “suite”. Also keep in mind that since the pandemic appliance manufacture and delivery times have increased so make sure to ask about lead times. A reputable appliance dealer along with your builder/project manager can help you navigate through this.

Faucets

Faucets and sinks can be found almost anywhere these days and come in a variety of styles and finishes. We’ve found that opting for mid-grade or higher faucets are generally your best choice, as they hold better to daily wear and tear.

Countertops

Countertops are a big choice and come in a dizzying array of options. The newest trend is quartz - a stone composite made up of 80%-93% natural material mixed with pigments and resins which make it very durable and low-maintenance option. You get most of the perks of solid stone and have more color options. Solid stone options are still available but are not as popular these days. If your budget doesn’t allow for a solid surface, you can find selections of laminate countertops at your local big box home supply store. Like we mentioned earlier, you get what you pay for, or less. Composite and solid stone options are more expensive than laminate, but will hold up for the lifetime of your kitchen and might be worth considering. Pro Tip: Countertops are measured and installed very close to the end of renovation and, depending on the material and installation company, can take a couple of weeks to be completed. Don’t be frustrated if you are living with a new kitchen without countertops for little bit at the tail end of the project.

Flooring

Many builders cut corners by not flooring completely under the cabinetry. If that’s the case, flooring might need to be replaced or repaired. Keep this in mind as you plan your renovation.

Lighting

Lighting is important and if you are changing the footprint of your kitchen, it might need to change. There is nothing worse than a dark spot in an area where you are trying to work. Many of our kitchen renovations require lighting tweaks. This is also great time time to consider incorporating under cabinet lighting. It offers a softer alternative when you don’t want to use bright, overhead lighting.

Ventilation

Ventilation is an important consideration in the kitchen. Depending on your stove configuration and output, you’ll need a compatible hood/ventilation unit. Your appliance sales person should provide you with options. Pro Tip: Keep in mind that high end, high output ranges like Wolf, Viking, and Blue Star can affect your home’s HVAC so make sure to speak with a licensed HVAC provider if you are opting for this type of range.

Electrical

Access to outlets for appliances is another consideration. How your kitchen is laid out will determine, to some extent, where these outlets will be placed. It is also important to consider how you will use your kitchen. Will you need a dedicated outlet for a coffee maker or stand mixer? Pro Tip: Outlets in areas that have access to water are required to be GCFI -Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. These outlets have safety devises built into the outlet to protect against electrical shock . In fact, the 2023 update of the National Electrical Code now requires GCFI protection in ALL kitchen receptacles, expanding the previous GCFI requirements.